DISINFO: The US claim that Russia has not complied with the INF treaty was just a pretext to withdraw

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative that the collapse of the INF treaty is to be blamed entirely on the US. It is not true that US claims about Russian non-compliance with the INF treaty were just a pretext to withdraw from the treaty. The US has been concerned about Russian non-compliance with the treaty for many years. As early as 2008, the US government was aware that Russia was testing a cruise missile in violation of the treaty. In July 2014 the then-US President Obama officially accused Russia of testing the 9M729 missile which violated the INF Treaty. In March 2017, a senior US military official accused Russia of deploying a new missile, which posed a threat to NATO and facilities within the NATO area of responsibility. In the last six years, the US has engaged with Russia to try and resolve Russia’s non-compliance, raising the issue in numerous meetings, including at the highest levels as well as in meetings of technical experts. Russia constantly refused to address US and NATO concerns. On the 2nd of August 2019, after the last opportunity to honour the Treaty obligations was turned down again by Moscow, the US put into effect its decision to withdraw from the Treaty. This decision was fully supported by NATO Allies. See here for other disinformation cases about the INF Treaty.